Automatic primer feed mechanism

ABSTRACT

An automatic primer feed mechanism for use with a carrier assembly of a large caliber artillery piece, which includes mechanical assemblies for automatic primer loading after full breech closure and allows for spent primer cartridges to be extracted before opening of the breech to maximize safety, thereby allowing the gun crew to perform artillery piece misfire, sticker and check fire operations before the breech is opened. The mechanism includes a body member that mounts the automatic feed mechanism to the carrier of the artillery piece so as to interface with the carrier to position the mechanism on one side of the breech of the artillery piece. The body member includes a cam surface member, which provides a path for movement of an injection arm member. The tray member has guide rails for engagement with the body, which slides in relation thereto. A magazine containing a plurality of primer cartridges, which inserts in a receiver channel located in the tray member. The mechanism provides improved safety wherein live primers stored in a magazine are at a distance from the firing chamber hole that prevents flame from reaching a live charge before a fresh primer is injected therein.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims benefit of filing date Apr. 11, 2000 based uponprovisional application of Stephen M. Van Dyke-Restifo, Ser. No. (notyet known), entitled “Automatic Primer Feed Mechanism”, and also thefiling date of Sep. 6, 2000 based upon provisional application ofStephen M. Van Dyke-Restifo et al., Ser. No. 60/230,450 and alsoentitled “Automatic Primer Feed Mechanism,” which are herebyincorporated by reference.

STATEMENT OF GOVERNMENT INTEREST

The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or forthe United States Government for Governmental purposes without thepayment of any royalties thereon.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to artillery systems and, moreparticularly to a system for automatically feeding primer cartridges inan artillery piece.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Present field artillery pieces operate by detonating a propellant chargebehind a projectile in a gun barrel. Typically the propellant charge isdetonated by means of a primer cartridge that, in turn, is detonatedunder the force of an externally applied blow or electrical current. Afresh (unfired) primer cartridge must be used for each firing of theartillery piece.

The technical advancement of heavy armored/mechanized weapons and thenecessity of providing responsive, effective fires throughout thesupported commander's area of influence has created a need for enhancedrate of fire and reduced labor intensiveness of the crew. Presently, forlarge caliber artillery pieces with interrupted screw block breechmechanisms such as 155-mm artillery pieces and the like, percussionprimers are loaded by hand and various types of automatic feedmechanisms. One primer is typically manually placed in the spindleprimer chamber and the firing mechanism is thereafter manually movedover the primer in the ready-to-fire position. This has lead naturallyto human errors, injury and problems inserting the primer, especiallywhen the light is dim. Lack of space and/or coordination are additionalartillery piece problems associated with hand loading.

Until the present invention, there has not been effective fail-safealternatives to manual loading of primers. There is need for a primerfeed mechanism that automatically feeds live primers and ejects spentprimer cases in large caliber artillery pieces (for example a 155-mmgun). Although one known automatic-type primer feed mechanism is taughtin U.S. Statutory Invention Registration H-1121 by Carroll et al., whichis hereby incorporated by reference, there are problems inherent withthis mechanism that include potential accidental misfiring of a primercartridge before proper closing of the breech, which in turn may resultin accidental human casualty. Thus there is still need for a safe andefficient system for loading primer cartridges in the breech of a gun,which the present invention resolves.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing, it is a general object of the presentinvention to provide a new and improved system for feeding primercartridges in an artillery piece, which includes a means for automaticprimer loading after full breech closure and spent primer extractionbefore breech opening to maximize safety, thus allowing the gun crew toperform gun misfire, sticker and check fire operations before the breechis opened.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new andimproved system for feeding primer cartridges in an artillery piece,wherein the primer cartridges are automatically fed with minimum ofhandling by operating personnel, thereby saving time during a firecycle.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a newand improved system for feeding primers in an artillery piece that isreliable and able to withstand the repeated recoil of the artillerypiece as it is fired over and over. The automatic primer feed mechanismof the present invention offers several advantages. For example, loadingis simplified because the gun crew need only handle previously loadedmagazine assemblies rather than individual primers.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a device forautomatically feeding primers, which reduces the number of required guncrew members.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a device forautomatically feeding primer cartridges to large artillery pieces andthe like which is safe, dependable, and easy to maintain.

The above and other objects of the present invention are accomplishedusing the invention's automatic primer feed mechanism. In particular,the present invention provides a new and improved system for feedingprimer cartridges in an artillery piece, which includes mechanisms forautomatic primer loading after the artillery piece's breech is closedand spent primer extraction before the breech is opened again. Thisfeature enhances gun crew safety and allows them to perform artillerypiece misfire, sticker and check fire operations before the breech isopened.

The mechanism includes a body member for mounting the automatic primerfeed mechanism to the carrier assembly of the artillery piece so as toposition the mechanism on one side of the breech of the artillery piece.The body member also includes a cam surface member for control ofmotions of a primer injection arm member. The body member has guidesthat control movements of and retain a tray member. The tray memberincludes congruent guide rails for engagement with the body member'sguides. A primer extraction member is attached to the body member forextracting spent primers when the tray member is moved to an extractionposition of travel. The movement on the tray member is controlled bycooperative action with the injection arm member that is attachedthrough linkages to an actuator attached to the carrier. The mechanismalso includes a primer cartridge magazine mounted on the tray member forhousing a plurality of primers for insertion into the artillery piece,including a slot in one side to permit the injector arm to cooperativelyengage and move primers contained in the magazine upon movement of theinjector arm to a ready-to-fire position. The tray member includes anintegral receiver for mounting the magazine. Live primer cartridges arestored in the magazine that is attached to the tray. The tray member inturn is attached to the body member and located at a safe distance fromthe firing chamber within the spindle, thereby preventing flames fromreaching a live charge before the primer is injected into the firingchamber. Such a design provides “hands-off” functionality during normalfiring operation. The magazine uses a clip-type assembly for holding aplurality of primers. An open tray design allows ease of access to thefiring chamber area for manual primer extraction if required.

During a fire cycle of operation, recoil motion of the artillery piecedisconnects the primer feed mechanism from external actuator drivelinkages wherein the tray member remains locked in a fire positionduring recoil and counter recoil. An external drive linkage of theprimer feed mechanism re-engages the system mounted drive actuator oncounter-recoil. The extract cycle of a spent primer cartridge isinitiated after counter recoil and the extract cycle is completed priorto the breech of the artillery piece being opened. The primer feedmechanism can be manually, hydraulically, or otherwise power actuatedfrom the fire position to the extract position of the mechanism. Spentprimer extraction occurs when the tray member motion is at a locationthat actuates a pivoting extraction arm member that is retained in acavity of the body member.

The operation of the device includes: a) opening the breech whereinbreech opening locks the tray member in an extract position; b) loadcharge and projectile; c) close breech fully; d) inject a fresh primercartridge wherein the injection arm member is manually, hydraulically orotherwise power actuated causing the tray member to translate from theextract to the fire position, and further causing the tray member'slinear motion to dwell as the injector arm member rotates to inject afresh primer, and further causing the linear motion of the tray toresume with the injector arm member in a down position, and furthercausing the mechanism's tray member to travel to the fire position, andthe tray member is locked in a fire position; and e) the tray member islocked in the fire position ready to fire the artillery piece.

The mechanism provides improved safety wherein live primers stored in amagazine are at a distance from the firing chamber hole that preventsflame from reaching a live charge before a fresh primer is injectedtherein. A fresh primer is loaded after full breech closure andextracted before the breech is opened to maximize safety, and allowing agun crew to perform misfire, sticker, and check fire operations beforethe breech is opened.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

For a more complete understanding of the invention, reference is herebymade to the drawings, wherein like numbers designate like parts, inwhich:

FIG. 1 is an isometric fragmentary perspective view of the mechanismwhen the primer is loaded for firing;

FIG. 2 is another isometric fragmentary perspective view of themechanism at a different viewing angle with a primer being extracted;

FIGS. 3 a, 3 b, 3 c, 3 d and 3 e are views of a tray member, an injectorarm member, a body member and a magazine assembly in both built up andbroken out views respectively;

FIG. 3 f shows an assembly view of a primer firing mechanism used withthe present invention;

FIG. 4 is a view of an assembly of the components shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the mechanism in a ready to fire position andstarting point of the extraction cycle;

FIG. 6 is a side view of the primer extraction cycle of the mechanism,breech closed phase;

FIG. 7 is a side view of the primer extract cycle phase of the mechanismin a raise injector arm, continue extration cycle, breech closed;

FIG. 8 is an side view of the primer extraction cycle phase of themechanism in an extract fired primer position followed by an open breechphase;

FIG. 9 is a side view of the initiation of the primer load/inject cyclephase of the mechanism, breech closed;

FIG. 10 is a side view of the primer load inject cycle phase of themechanism in an initiate injection cycle, breech closed phase;

FIG. 11 is a side view of the primer injection load cycle phase of themechanism in a primer injected cycle where the injector arm rotates toinject the primer, breech closed; and

FIG. 12 is a side view of the primer fire cycle phase of the mechanism,primer loaded and in a fire position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to the drawings, and, in particular, to FIGS. 1-5, anautomatic primer feed mechanism 20 embodying various features of theinvention is shown in exemplary form mounted adjacent to the breechcarrier end of an artillery piece. In accordance with conventionalpractice, the artillery piece includes a breech block (not shown forclarity) mounted to a hinged breech carrier 10 that swings to allow thebreech to be opened and closed. The breech block's interior faceincludes an obturator that is carried at one end of a spindle extendingthrough the breech block. The obturator and obturator spindle 8 includea central passageway 9 that terminates at one end in a chamber 4 forreceiving therein a primer cartridge 26 of known construction. In use, apropellant charge is placed in the gun barrel ahead of the breech blockwhich is then closed. Detonation of the primer cartridge 26 ignites thepropellant charge through the passageway 9 to fire the artillery piece.

The automatic primer feed mechanism 20 functions broadly to contain aplurality of primers 26, to automatically and individually insertunfired primers into the chamber 4 and to automatically extract firedprimers from the chamber in a safe manner so that the breech closesprior to insertion of the primer. To this end, the automatic primer feedmechanism 20 generally includes a clip-like magazine 28 for containing aplurality of primer cartridges 26, a mounting assembly formed in a tray21 for mounting the magazine 28 to the feed mechanism 20, and a firingmechanism 50 retained in an opening 51, which is responsive to anoperator input for firing the artillery piece. Preferably, the magazine28 is a detachable unit so as to permit substitution of a magazinecontaining fresh primers.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, the primer feed mechanism 20 is designedfor use with the carrier 10 of a large caliber artillery piece (inexemplary form, a 155-mm howitzer). A rack is inserted to the hingedcarrier 10 that swings to allow opening and closing of the breech. Theautomatic primer feed mechanism assembly 20 includes a body member 23, atray member 21, a cam surface channel member 22 that is part of the bodymember 23 wherein a pin 31 travels, and one or more linkage members 25,27, 29 (in exemplary form) that cooperatively connect with an injectionarm member 24, (the end linkage 29 connects with the carrier 10 which inturn has an actuator (not shown) attached to the carrier). One end ofthe injector arm member 24 travels in the cam surface member 22 by theactuator pin member 31 that is caused to move by the linkages 25, 27 and29 by the carrier actuator. The other end of the injector arm 24 has anattached cylindrical member 24 a that inserts through the member 29forming part of the tray member 22 through a slot that in turn can beinserted into the magazine 28 when in a fire mode and act as a safetymember. The cylindrical member 24 a has a slot for accepting the armmember 24 such that the cylindrical member can rotate about pinnedattachment member within the member 24 a and allow translationalinjection movement of the primer into the firing chamber 4. Such afeature prevents jamming of the primer as it is injected and alsominimizes misfiring of a primer cartridge during the injectionoperation. Also, the other end of the member 24 a has a hollow surfaceso as to engage the primer cartridge outside of the central percussionarea of the primer cartridge. In manual operation of the feed mechanism20, the linkages 27 and 29 can be removed with ease by the gun crew andbe manually operated. Moreover, the magazine 28 and the injection armmember 24 with the cylindrical injector 24 a can be removed by a guncrew and the feed mechanism 20 can be operated by a handle attached tothe tray member 23.

The feed mechanism 20 is attached to the carrier 10 through the bodymember 23 and the tray member 21 slides on guide rail members attachedto the body member. The body 23 is located on one side of the breech ofan artillery piece. The body 23 includes a primer extractor member 102(shown in FIG. 3 c) that ejects spent primers during the eject cycle ofoperation of the primer feed mechanism. An assembled primer feedmechanism 20 as shown in FIG. 4 has the tray 21 slide into the bodymember 23 so as to control and constrain movement of the tray. Themagazine assembly 28 also inserts and slides within a receiver in thetray.

FIGS. 3 a, 3 b, 3 c, 3 d and 3 e show views of a tray member, aninjector arm member, a body member and a magazine assembly in both builtup and broken out views respectively. The tray member 21, shown indetail in FIG. 3 a, fits onto the body member 23 along the body way 34shown in FIG. 3 a. FIG. 3 b shows the injection arm 24 with acylindrical injection member 24 a and the linkage with a dowel extendedthat follows the cam path surface of member 22. The body 23 has a camchannel member 22 that engages the injection arm 24, later describedthat moves the tray 21 through a pin linkage 31 that follows the campath in the channel member 22. At the left end of the tray 21 is thefiring mechanism 50 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, wherein a firing pinassembly is located under the firing mechanism. The firing mechanism 50is typically a spring loaded mechanical firing mechanism that isdetachable and inserted in the opening with a firing pin 51 in the traymember as shown in FIG. 3 a.

Construction of the magazine 28 can best be understood by reference toFIG. 3 e. The magazine comprises a built-up clip retaining structurewith end plates 28 a and 28 b with an opening 41 in one side forreceiving individually the primers 26. A spring/plate 43 mounted in thebase of the magazine structure properly biases and indexes the nextavailable primer for firing. A coiled flat constant tension spring isretained in the plate structure and a terminal end attaches to one endof the magazine 28. A guide member 49 a provides proper alignment of afresh primer during injection. A hand operable pin 47 interfaces with aslot in the side plate of the mechanism for manual operation and properalignment of the plate 43. Opening 49 interfaces with the injection armcylindrical member 24 a under tray member housing structure 29. A pairof retention guides 53 along the sides of the magazine provide properalignment and retention in the receiver portion of the tray 21 whenattached to the mechanism 20. In preferred form, up to ten primers 26can be stored in the magazine 28.

The invention can use various types of a firing mechanism 50 thatinclude a solenoid-type firing mechanism or a mechanical-type firingmechanism. The preferred firing mechanism is shown in FIG. 3 f thatshows an assembly view of a mechanical firing mechanism 500. Thismechanism provides improved reliability since the dual cam surfaces ofthe upper portion of a case assembly mates with a follower member hasgreater interfacing surface areas, thus minimizing both jamming of thefiring mechanism and misfiring. The firing mechanism 500 includes: ahammer member 501, a cup member 502, a yoke 503, multiple ball bearings504, multiple helical compression springs 505, 506 and 507, a sleevemember 508, a case assembly 509 with a special dual cam surface thatcooperatively interfaces with a dual cam follower member 510, a pinmember 511, and a pull lever 512. When assembled, the mechanism 500 isheld together under compression by the pin 511 through a hole in thelever 512. The hammer member 501 is held in place within the yoke 503 bythe ball bearings 504.

In operation, the mechanism 500 is actuated and ready to fire anartillery piece by pulling or twisting the lever 512 which causes eitherdirect pulling of the lever member and pulling back on the hammer orcause the interfacing dual cam surfaces of the case assembly 509 and thefollower 510 to rotate such that the follower 510 is distended outwardsfrom the case assembly 509. Once the lever 512 is released, the followersnaps back towards the case assembly 509 which in turn releases the yoke503 containing the hammer piece 501, with consequential detonation of afresh primer cartridge in the firing chamber.

-   OPERATION OF THE INVENTION: Operation of the primer feed mechanism    20 can best be understood by reference to FIGS. 5-12. The    operational phases of the mechanism include: a) firing of the    artillery piece, b) recoil/counter-recoil of the artillery piece, c)    ejection of the spent primer cartridge, d) opening the breech, e)    loading ammunition into the artillery piece, f) close the breech, g)    load a fresh primer into the firing chamber of the breech, and h)    ready to fire the artillery piece again. As illustrated, the    operation of the mechanism 20 can be referred to as a primer load    cycle and a primer eject cycle wherein the breach is closed in FIGS.    5, 6, 7 and 10, 11 and 12. The breech is opened in FIG. 8, and    subsequently closed in FIG. 9 after loading ammunition. The arrows    in FIGS. 5-12 adjacent to the linkages and arms 24, 25, 27 indicate    operational dynamics of the mechanism.

In FIG. 5, an initial condition is firing of the artillery piece whereinthe breech is closed and fresh ammunition is in the artillery piece,fresh primer is in the firing chamber, the tray member 21 is locked tothe body member 23 with a tray/body lock. The tray is locked with thefiring mechanism 50 over the firing chamber 4 with the fresh primerwithin. The injector arm 24 is down and inside the magazine 28. Theartillery piece system mounted power actuator is engaged with the feedmechanism 20 externally mounted actuator drive, which is mounted to thecarrier that transmits motion to the injector linkages and ultimatelythe injection arm 24 through a cross-shaft in the carrier. The artillerypiece is fired by actuation of the firing mechanism 50 causing theprimer to detonate and igniting the main propellant charge and thencausing the ammunition to fire. After firing, recoil motion of theartillery piece disengages the system mounted powered actuator fromexternal actuator drive to the mechanism 20. The tray member 21 remainslocked to the body member 23 through the tray/body lock. Then oncounter-recoil of the artillery piece, the system actuator engages theexternal drive linkages to the feed mechanism 20 and the tray member 21remains locked to the body member 23 through the tray/body locked.

Next, initiation of the primer eject cycle as shown in FIG. 6 beginswherein the breech is still closed. The system mounted actuator appliesload to the feed mechanism 20 through the linkages 25 and 27 through thepin 31 that connects to injection arm 24 to unlock the tray/body lockmember and allow the tray 21 to move. Continued application of load tothe injector arm 24 communicates linear motion to the tray memberthrough the cam surface member 22.

Next, as shown in FIG. 7, with the breech still closed, the primer ejectcycle of the mechanism continues where continued loading of the injectorarm 24 occurs causing it to rotate and rise out of the magazine 28 whilelinear translation of the tray member 21 dwells. The next fresh primeris indexed in the magazine. Continued loading of the injection arm 24causes the tray to then resume linear translation towards a full extractposition of travel within the body member 23.

In FIG. 8, the spent primer is extracted as the tray member 21 actuatesthe extractor arm member 102 in the body member 23 during terminaltravel of the tray by rotating the member 102. The tray member is thenin a full extract position. The breech can then be opened and freshammunition can be loaded into the artillery piece. Opening of the breechengages a carrier mounted safety latch that latches the tray 21 in afull extract position as shown in FIG. 9. In this condition, the trayand the feed mechanism 20 cannot be accidentally moved to load a freshprimer when the breech is open. A fresh projectile and propellant chargecan then be loaded into the artillery piece and the breech closed. Aftercomplete closure of the breech, the carrier mounted safety latch is thenreleased and the primer injection cycle begins where the load can againbe applied to the injection arm 24.

In FIG. 10, the primer loading cycle shows a fresh primer, indexed to bein-line with the injection port 49 of the magazine 28, wherein the tray21 dwells as the injection arm 24 rotates by the interactions of camsurface member 22 causing injection of a fresh primer into the firingchamber 4 as the tray motion dwells.

In FIG. 11, the linear motion of the tray member 21 resumes with theinjector arm 24 and member 24 a injecting the primer into the firingchamber by downward translational motion of the injection member 24 awithin the tray housing 29 until the primer is loaded into the firingchamber.

In FIG. 12, the tray translational motion continues to the end of traveland the firing mechanism 50 is positioned over the fresh primer. Theinjection member 24 a is positioned in the magazine through the opening49. Termination of tray motion causes the tray/body lock to re-engage,locking the tray 21 to the body member 23 in a fire position. The primerfeed mechanism 20 is in firing position again as in FIG. 5 and theartillery piece is ready to fire again.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have beenillustrated and described herein, it is not intended that theseillustrations and descriptions limit the invention. Changes andmodifications may be made herein without departing from the scope andspirit of the following claims. For example, the primer feed mechanismcan be readily adapted for use with a variety of existing artillerypieces. Moreover, the invention can be used in non-military applicationwhere a machine requires an automatic injection mechanism that allowsinjection of a cartridge into a chamber during operation of the machineand precludes need for opening of an object attached to the injectionchamber, thereby affording continuous safe operations of the machine.Therefore to be understood, that within the scope of the appendedclaims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specificallydescribed.

1. A primer mechanism for an artillery piece mounted on a carrier, themechanism comprising: a body member for mounting the mechanism to thecarrier, including means for a) interfacing with the carrier to positionthe feed mechanism on one side of the breech of the artillery piece, b)providing constrained movement of a movable tray member; the tray memberincluding rails for engagement on the body member and also providing fora housing with a channel in which a primer injector arm member moves; aprimer injector arm member including means for engaging a cam pathsurfaced member attached to the body member at one end of the primerinjector arm member that includes a linkage member that follows the campath in a channel formed in the body member, the other end of the armmember has a cylindrical member that is pivotally attached, wherebyrotary motion of the arm member causes linear injection of a primercartridge into a firing chamber; and an extraction member attached tothe body member, the extraction member allowing displacement of a spentprimer cartridge out of a firing chamber.
 2. The mechanism of claim 1,wherein the mechanism is a primer feed mechanism and further includes amagazine mounted on the tray member for housing a plurality of primers.3. The mechanism of claim 1, wherein the extraction arm member comprisesa spring biased lever member that pivots from within a cavity in thebody member and is actuated by displacement of the tray member inrelation to the body member.
 4. The mechanism of claim 2, wherein thetray member includes an integral receiver housing for mounting themagazine.
 5. The mechanism of claim 4, wherein the magazine includesguide members on sides of the magazine for sliding into the receiverhousing of the tray, the injector arm with an injector member pivotallyattached thereto cooperatively engages and moves a fresh primercontained in the magazine upon movement of the tray member to aready-to-fire position, the magazine includes a constant tension springmember housed in an plate structure to provide indexing of the pluralityof primers.
 6. The mechanism of claim 1, wherein the tray memberincludes a recessed portion that includes a firing pin member, therecessed portion receives a firing mechanism that moves with the traymember.
 7. The mechanism of claim 6, wherein the feed mechanism furtherincludes a firing mechanism.
 8. The mechanism of claim 7, wherein theprimer firing mechanism comprises a solenoid actuated firing mechanism.9. The mechanism of claim 7, wherein the primer mechanism comprises amechanical actuated firing mechanism.
 10. The mechanism of claim 9,wherein the mechanical firing mechanism comprises an in-line hammermember, a cup member, a yoke member, multiple ball bearings, at leastone helical compression spring, a sleeve member, a case assembly with aspecial dual cam surface that cooperatively interfaces with a dual camfollower member, a pin member, and a pull lever, whereby the firingmechanism can be actuated by both direct and rotational pulling of thelever.
 11. A cartridge feed mechanism for a machine with an injectionchamber for receiving the cartridge, the mechanism comprising: amagazine mounted on a tray member for housing a plurality of cartridgesfor insertion into the injection chamber, the magazine being a clip-likestructure configured to receive a plurality of cartridges; releasablemounting means for releasing the magazine from the machine; cartridgeinjector means, including an injection arm means, for individuallydisplacing unspent cartridges from the magazine into the injectionchamber of the machine; and cartridge extractor means, including apivotal arm means.
 12. The mechanism of claim 11, wherein the cartridgeextractor means forms part of the body that includes a cavity forhousing the cartridge extractor means for removing a spent cartridgefrom the injection chamber after use.
 13. The mechanism of claim 11,wherein the releasable mounting means includes an integral receiverhousing for mounting the magazine to the tray member.
 14. The mechanismof claim 11 wherein the magazine includes an indexing means fortranslating the plurality of cartridges in response to a cartridge useand extraction cycles of operation.
 15. The mechanism of claim 11wherein the machine is an artillery piece and the cartridge is a primer,the artillery piece includes a breech block and wherein said mountingmeans mounts to a body member adjacent to the breech block and the traymember is mounted to the body member, whereby the cartridge injectormeans and cartridge extractor means provide automatic primer loadingafter full breech closure and allow for spent primer cartridges to beextracted before opening of the breech for safety.
 16. A magazine devicecomprising: means for configuarably mounting to a machine; an in-linehollow structure configured to accept a plurality of cartridges forinsertion into an injection chamber of a machine, the structure includesan opening at a first end of the structure for insertion of thecartridge into the machine; and an indexing means having a plate memberthat is biased by a constant tensioning spring for providing constantcompression of the cartridges within the structure.
 17. The device ofclaim 16, wherein the structure further includes a opening at a secondend of the structure, and a rod member attached to the indexing meansthat inserts through a slot on a side of the structure, wherebytensioning of the rod member allows for insertion of fresh cartridgesinto the magazine.